Gigabit Infrastructure Act

Facilitating the rollout of very high-capacity networks 

The development of smarter, flexible, and innovative services depends on the availability of fast, reliable, data-intense connections. These services are driven by the advancement and use of technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), data spaces, and virtual reality. This results on a rising demand for greater bandwidth and faster speeds. Yet, a 2018 report found that the 2014 Broadband Cost Reduction Directive was not applied consistently in the EU. Thus, the Commission proposed its replacement by the Gigabit Infrastructure Act. 

A political agreement was reached in February 2024 and the Gigabit Infrastructure act (GIA) will soon become law. The act updates the rules to ensure faster, cheaper, and simpler rollout of Gigabit networks installation, addressing the main hurdles like expensive and complex procedures for network deployment. The act is also instrumental to achieve the 2030 Digital Decade target on connectivity: ensuring cross-EU access to fast Gigabit connectivity and fast mobile data by 2030. 

The GIA introduces several measures aimed at streamlining the deployment of networks: 

• Shared use of infrastructure - Encouraging the shared use of ducts and poles for deploying very high-capacity networks (VHCN) to optimise resources and reduce costs. 
• Co-deployment and Coordination of Civil Works – enabling telecom operators to collaborate with public works projects to install fiber optic cables simultaneously, reducing disruptions and expediting broadband expansion. 
• Streamlining Administrative Procedures: Simplifying administrative procedures related to network rollout throughout the EU to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and improve efficiency. 
• Equipping Buildings with High-speed Ready Infrastructure: Encouraging the provision of buildings with high-speed ready infrastructure and ensuring access to it to facilitate broadband deployment and adoption. 

The GIA also seeks to reduce the environmental footprint of electronic communications networks by promoting the deployment of more environmentally efficient technologies, such as fibre and 5G. The re-use of existing physical infrastructure and the greater coordination of civil works will also contribute to reducing the overall environmental impact of deploying networks, through a more efficient use of resources. 

Gigabit Recommendation 

In parallel, the Commission adopted the Gigabit Recommendation in February 2024. The recommendation builds on the regulation providing guidelines to National Regulation Authorities (NRAs) on how to design access remedy obligations for operators with significant market power, promoting competition. Specifically, it offers guidance on situations where access to civil-engineering infrastructure is necessary to address competition issues. Additionally, it outlines requirements for NRAs to oversee a smooth transition from copper to fiber. 

The Gigabit Recommendation replaces the 2010 Next Generation Access Recommendation and the 2013 Non-discrimination and Costing Methodology Recommendation.